Welcome
Homeschool Enrichment
-Enhance your child's homeschool experience
-Become a member of a close-knit community of homeschoolers
-Curriculum Tutoring
Testimonials
Hear what our loyal families have to say about us!
"I can't say enough great things about The Nature's School House. Mrs. Rachel has truly brought her love and vision for holistic learning to Brevard! From mud kitchens to learning empathy through role playing and everything else in between you can't go wrong with having your children get to experience the joy of learning through play with Ms. Rachel and her group of amazing teachers. "
- SS
"Our children have known and loved Ms. Rachel and Ms. Diane since early 2019. These two have more love and kindness than any other educator my children have ever had. This is why we are so passionate about Nature's Schoolhouse Network (previously known as the Little Blue Barn). Along with academics, NSN encourages risky play, teaches independence, conflict resolution, and shows love and connection to every child in their program. After my oldest son's first year at NSN, he was showing math and literacy skills one grade level ahead. When he was evaluated, the evaluator commented how well documented and prepared his portfolio was. It was obvious how much he had learned that year. Children require connection, love, support, and to be nurtured and guided. These positive interactions with your children shape the future. Ms. Rachel and Ms. Diane offer all of this and more!"
- Dana W.
About Us
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide a safe environment for children to learn and play in nature. Along with providing a service to our community, we hope to help nurture a deep relationship between our students and nature so they are motivated to help protect our planet as adults.
Among many things, we value kindness, respect, inclusion, and stewardship.
**Note: We are a secular program. The personal beliefs (religious, political, etc.) of our educators will never be pushed on your children.
REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP HERE!
Interested in working with us?
We're hiring for next year! Email Rachel Miller for inquiries. Rachel@naturesschoolhousenetwork.com
Location
West Melbourne
Our beginning
Nature's Schoolhouse Network began as the Little Blue Barn in Melbourne, FL in the Fall of 2020. The founders, Rachel Miller and Diane Young, put countless hours of work and lots of love to make this dream a reality. For the first two years we followed the Florida Nature Guide so our studies were focused on Florida's natural surroundings.
Curriculum & Activities
We follow Blossom and Root curriculum. Families will have the option of purchasing the curriculum and aligning with our studies or simply using us as an enrichment program.
We will keep each student's work in a folder and send it home at both Winter Break and Summer Break.
Every day will include hands-on learning, literacy skills practice, and nature studies. In between focused lessons, children will have ample time to play outside, garden, dig, climb, and simply be a child!
Our day runs from 9:00- 2:00. Aftercare is offered on Mondays until 3:00 and Wednesdays until 4:00 only.
Monthly Tuition for 22-23 school year (Next year's tuition will have a slight increase and will be posted soon.)
Registration Fees: $50
Annual Materials Fees: $15 per day your child attends (3 day/ week child: $45 for the year)
6-8 year olds:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: $450
Tuesday, Thursday: $310
Fridays: $155/month
9-12 year olds:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: $400
1 Day: $140
2023- 2024 School Year
All groups will have differentiated learning centers inside where they rotate and practice their varying ability levels.
All groups will follow Blossom & Root curriculum. You may purchase the curriculum and follow along with it at home or simply use our program as enrichment in your child's homeschool experience.
We will have some structural changes for next year:
5-6 year old program: Kindergarten
Class Name: **Dragonflies**
This group will use the Kindergarten Blossom and Root curriculum. Their play will overlap with the older kids at least once a day so they still get the mixed-age group socialization as well as the opportunity for more focused academics.
7-8 year old program: 1st and 2nd grade
Class Name: **Place your vote in the message box at the bottom of our webpage: Manatees, Squirrels, Bobcats, or Orange Blossoms**
9-12 year old program: 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade
Class Name: **Place your vote in the message box at the bottom of our webpage: Panthers, Bears, Foxes, Bobcats, or Alligators**
If your child is above 5th grade level but still in our age range, they are still welcome to join us. Our educators will do their best to differentiate and push your child to an appropriate academic level.
This group also follows along with the Florida Nature Guide curriculum which has a weekly theme related to nature in Florida.
SUMMER CAMP!
This Year: Including Field Trip Fridays
$175/ WEEK: INCLUDING FIELD TRIP EXPENSES
AGE GROUPS:
Otters (Ages 5-7), Bobcats (Ages 8-12)
WEEKS:
JUNE 12TH- 16TH : Wildlife Survival Skills (Field Trip: Sebastian Inlet: Hike with Rangers)
JUNE 26TH- 30TH : Ocean Week 1 (Field Trip: Brevard Zoo)
JULY 10TH- 14TH : Ocean Week 2 (Field Trip: TBD)
JULY 24TH- 28TH : Florida Flora & Fauna (Field Trip: Wickham Park)
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Teenagers welcome! Simply fill out the form below and we will contact you.
Highly Qualified Educators
Rachel Miller: Founder, Administrator, and Educator
She has a B.A. in Anthropology from UNF. She fell in love with teaching children outdoors while working as an Education Ranger at the nature trails on UNF's campus. She has worked in various education settings such as a Waldorf school in Jacksonville, a preschool in New Zealand, Kindercare in Orlando, and the Verdi EcoSchool in Eau Gallie.
A world traveler, she has spent time in many countries including 6 weeks in Peru and a year in New Zealand. Also, an extreme nature lover, running a nature-based program has been her dream for years.
Ms Diane: Lead Educator
- MS Waldorf Education, Sunbridge College, Spring Valley, NY
- MA Education, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT
- Certified Elementary Teacher K-6 Florida and New York
- Lead Early Childhood Teacher at Verdi EcoSchool, Eau Gallie, FL, Littlest Angels Preschool, Amsterdam, NY, and Orchard Valley Waldorf School, Montpelier, VT
Ms. Debbie: Lead Educator 6-8 year olds
She has a B.A. in Psychology from American University and a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from University of Central Florida. Debbie began her teaching career as a voluntary Art and French language teacher at her son's preschool, while managing her own recruiting firm. Since receiving her Early Childhood Education degree, with Reading Endorsement and ESOL Certification, she decided to dedicate her career to educating our youngest readers for the next 20 years. She has 2 sons and a daughter that she has traveled the world with to explore other cultures during summers. She is enlivened for this new opportunity to continue teaching our 6-8 year olds with a focus on literacy and math in nature's bountiful environment.
Ms. Janice: Assistant Educator 6-8 year olds
Janice Jenkins has practiced Opticianry and Health Sciences in Brevard County since 2010. She graduated from Eastern Florida State College with a Bachelors Degree in Health Science. She completed her Opticianry Apprenticeship at Complete Eye Care in Lawton, OK.
After years of practicing Opticianry, she changed directions, and took her understanding of optics to the field of Optical Engineering at Leonardo DRS. She also did short-term internship at SpaceX's Starship program in 2020. In 2022, she decided to dedicate more time to early education for her children, now teaches while performing Real Estate duties on the side. Janice looks forward to a fun-filled school year with new experiences and adventures.
Ms. Amanda: Lead Educator 9-12 year olds
Amanda graduated from the University of West Florida with a BA in Elementary Education and received her master’s in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Florida Certified Elementary Teacher K-6 with Reading and ESOL endorsement and ESE Certification K-12. She previously taught 4th and 5th grade in the public school system. She is a mother to two energetic boys and has been blessed with the opportunity to explore the environment around them while stimulating their growth physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is her desire to create this type of learning atmosphere with her students, supporting and encouraging them to share ideas, take risks, and continue to blossom at their own rate.
REGISTRATION TIPS
- Fill out and email Registration Form to Rachel Miller rachel@naturesschoolhousenetwork.com
- Payments are due by the 1st of every month. Late fees will be applied if not paid by the 5th.
- Registration fee is a one-time charge.
- Materials fee is an annual charge.
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